The German Chinese Culture Center was established

by Xie Luishin in 2002. That a Chinese national

sets up an institution to foster the cultural

exchange between two countries is nothing unusual.

However, Xie had become a German citizen in meantime,

studying viola at the revered

Stuttgart conservatory.

His achievements as a musician obviously

did not go unnoticed in China. Hence we was recalled by his mother country to

head the arts and design faculty at Nanchang university. Nanchang is the

capital city of Jiangxi province (close to Shanghai) whose university

teaches 70,000 students every year.

Back in China, Xie not only headed the construction of the new

buildings of the arts and design faculty, but

continued his work to bring the two cultures together.

What better than music and arts to find the common ground

between seemingly remote civilizations.

He founded the concentus musici, a group of professional musicians

and students, many of whom have studied in Germany. The concentus musici

emphasizes performing German classical as well as unsung Chinese

composers. The mixture is well received in Nanchang where the weekly

concerts are always sold out.

Xie has however farther reaching goals:

establish a German cultural week which would take place in October, right after

the Germans observe their national merger and the Chinese

fete the formation of the Communist state.

He intends to attract German writers who will

read their writings to Germanophiles.

With his very good contacts

to musicians all over the world, it is easy for Xie to call and many will come.

It is rumored that Chengbi An will compose a piece especially for this event.

Among this flurry of activities, does Xie himself find the

time to enjoy the arts he so skillfully introduces and supervises.

"I have always dreamt of bringing together my home country and my adopted

country. To see that others appreciate what I have already

lived is a tremendous satisfaction which lets me forget

that my violin idles.

I particularly hope that my children will be able to

savor my work."

Apparently a big crowd has joined his children

in enjoying the work of the German Chinese cultural center.